Monthly Archives: September 2018

Outlaw King (Renegade Scots #1) by Julie Johnstone-Dual Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Outlaw King (Renegade Scots #1) by Julie Johnstone-Dual Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

OUTLAW KING
Renegade Scots #1)
by Julie Johnstone
Release Date: August 31, 2018
Genre: adult, historical, medieval, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 31, 2018

She’s the weapon intended to destroy him. He’s the key to her freedom.

Dark days have come to medieval Scotland, and fierce warrior Robert the Bruce would do anything to release his country from English rule—and not just because he’s the rightful heir to the Scottish throne. As the bloody war rages on, enemies on both sides of the fight surround him, and Robert must dance a dangerous line between truth and deception. One misstep could topple his nation and cost him his life, yet one woman tempts him—and threatens his mission—as no other ever has.

Elizabeth de Burgh longs for freedom in a time when women have none. So when she finds herself ordered by her ruthless father and her godfather, the King of England, to seduce the leader of the Scottish rebellion and reveal his secrets, she yearns to fight back against their cruel plot. But they threaten to kill her beloved cousin, leaving her no choice but to comply. As she grows close to Robert and the mask that hides the man who would be king is peeled away, she cannot imagine aiding in the destruction of the noble Scot bent on liberating his people.

Bound by duty and honor but ensnared by passion, Robert and Elizabeth must determine if they are each other’s biggest threat or greatest source of strength. And moreover, they must decide how much they are willing to risk for the one thing neither ever imagined they’d find with the other—extraordinary, boundless love.

••••••••

Georgianna’s REVIEW:Outlaw King is book one of the new Renegade Scots Series by Julie Johnstone. It’s a historical romance that relies on historical research and a bit of literary license by the author to make the story flow and engaging to the reader.
This is the story of Robert the Bruce and Elizabeth de Burgh.

It begins in 1296 AD in Northern Scotland. This is a complicated story of not doing what you want, but what you must do to survive. Robert the Bruce’s father is old and probably soon to die. Bruce, the elder is basically a coward and refuses to fight the English. As his son, Robert is required to serve the man his father is allied with, so he’s in the process of helping the King take strongholds in Scotland. During this battle, Robert decides he is on the wrong side of the fight. It’s during this battle that Elizabeth de Burgh, disguised as a squire, helps to save many Scots from being burned alive by her father’s order. She must then return with her father and face his wrath, but first thanked Robert for aiding her… and that began their story.

How they managed to actually fall in love, despite the circumstances was a remarkable story. The writing is excellent, the history interesting, the romance and love scenes hot, the action not too brutal.

I loved this story and look forward to the next in this series. For me there’s no high as outstanding as a highlander renegade Scot.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Julie’s REVIEW: Books that are based in fact are always tricky. Do you believe everything you read ? Or do you just go in and read it for what it is ?

Robert the Bruce was an actual character in history as was Elizabeth, so with bated breath I opened my kindle …..

Beautifully written and very descriptive, I could imagine roaming the hills.

Elizabeth has a job to do …..seduce “the Bruce” and finds out all she can about his army and intention’s towards England.

But Elizabeth isn’t happy with that deal, she is ordered by both the king of England and her father to do her duty (you have to remember that women had NO SAY in what they did in those days) all she wants is a quiet life, and when they threaten her beloved cousins life, Elizabeth sees no other choice but to do ask they demand.

But the legend is nothing like the man, and Elizabeth must make a choice …. the man or her family ??

Robert wants his Scotland free from the tyranny of England, and soon a bloody war erupts, so he has enough on his plate with war and feuding clans, the last thing he needs is Elizabeth ruining his concentration, but she does that, and soon Robert will need to reveal to Elizabeth his plans …. can he trust her, or will she betray him ? And will he use her to fool the English, ensuring she hates him forever ??

Reviewed by Julie B

 

How much do you really want to know?

As a writer of historical romance when I’m developing my story I often have to ask myself how important is historical accuracy. You may be surprised to learn that is not such an easy question to answer for every aspect of the story. Sometimes, I feel like a circus tight rope walker balancing precariously on a very thin cord. To my left sit readers who think they want complete accuracy in their historical fiction novels, but to my right fall the readers who want a dab of accuracy here and there. I’ve learned this through 22 published historical romance novels.

So just how important is accuracy in historical fiction when you are trying to please two different mindsets of people? For me, accuracy is very important because I want readers to get a true picture of what was really happening in the time my book pertains to. However, I’m very aware that I cannot be totally accurate with every single aspect of history.

Take for example my Medieval books. If I wrote the books in Gaelic, as the Scots spoke in Medieval times, the modern day reader would not even understand the book. The same holds true for my Regency books. If I used all of the words that they did in the Regency period many of them have gone completely out of use. The modern reader would not grasp the meaning of my sentences. I have to pick and choose the words I use in my historical books very carefully. I like to pepper in actual words that were used during the time for authenticity without sacrificing accuracy.

On the flip side of using words no longer in existence, I have to be very careful not to use words that seem too modern and would pull the reader out of the time period of the story. I actually have a word bank that my editor and I have developed which contains thousands of words and expressions that were not in use in the Medieval and Regency period. We spent countless hours finding substitutes for these words so that my stories would be as historically accurate as possible while not causing the reader to stumble over a word.
Sometimes the historical accuracy of what I know about certain words as a researcher can come into direct conflict with the history that I realize many readers think they know of a term. For example, I would never use the word ‘claymore’ to speak of a sword in my Scottish Medieval books because the word was not used in reference to swords until the 18 century, yet many readers believe that all swords should be called claymores. Thanks, Hollywood. ☺

I have to make decisions all the time about whether to go with what I know to be the absolute truth or what I know to be reader expectation. I make these decisions on a case by case basis. Another example is bathing. Most people do not want to hear in stories that your character has not bathed in quite a while, so I chose to bend historical accuracy in this instance and make all of my character hygienic. Now, you will not find a laird in a modern day bubble bath day after day, but he will take a dip in a loch more than once a month. See how niftily accuracy can be bent just a tad while maintaining as much historical integrity as possible and delivering a wonderful reader experience.

Another fun example is clothing. I always put my characters in historically accurate clothing, but when it comes time for the steamy love scenes, those many layers of clothes are going to come off a lot quicker than they would in real life. If stayed completely accurate with how long it really took to disrobe, I fear my readers would get bored. However, a caveat to this statement is that I have often taken off layers of clothing on characters while working in a kiss here, a caress there or even turned the disrobing into a game of seduction where each layer removed increased the tension in the room. But sometimes this is not possible, and the clothes just have to go quickly!
As far as dates and actual events that take place, I like to stick to the facts and not change these things. I will never put a historical battle at a time or place that it wasn’t, but I will certainly make up characters that didn’t exist and put them there. However, the characters I create from my imagination could have existed, and that makes all the difference.
Whenever I use events or places that existed, I put in hours of countless research to make sure I am historically accurate because I feel there should be no bending on this type of thing. But sometimes, I have been known to make up a castle or an event, which is why what I write is called fiction. ☺

In my newest book, OUTLAW KING, RENEGADE SCOTS, Book 1, I like to say it is a marriage of historical accuracy meets author imagination. I hope you will consider reading it! I could go on about historical accuracy forever, but I have to go write my next book! How important is historical accuracy to you as a reader? One commenter will win a digital copy of OUTLAW KING.

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Author Julie Johnstone first fell in love with romance fifteen years ago when she picked up her first romance novel in an airport gift shop on the way to Conroe, Texas for a family reunion and spent her whole weekend reading rather than water skiing, which up until then was one of her favorite things to do.

Julie is staying up way too late and typing furiously on her keyboard to finish her next book or blog with her fellow authors at Ladyscribes. Julie is married to an amazing lawyer and when she is not running her two precocious children to one activity or another she is trying to seek out some time to stay in shape and see her dearest friends.

Julie Johstone is graciously offering an ebook copy of OUTLAW KING to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow Julie Johnstone on Facebook.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway is open internationally

9. Giveaway runs from September 8-12, 2018

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A Fierce Wind (Donet Trilogy #3) by Regan Walker -a review

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A Fierce Wind (Donet Trilogy #3) by Regan Walker-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon. au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 23, 2018

Love in the time of revolution

France 1794

Zoé Ariane Donet was in love with love until she met the young commander of the royalist army fighting the revolutionaries tearing apart France. When the dashing young general is killed, she joins the royalist cause, rescuing émigrés fleeing Robespierre’s Reign of Terror.

One man watches over her: Frederick West, the brother of an English earl, who has known Zoé since she was a precocious ten-year-old child. At sixteen, she promised great beauty, the flower of French womanhood about to bloom. Now, four years later, as the Terror seizes France by the throat, Zoé has become a beautiful temptress Freddie vows to protect with his life.

But English spies don’t live long in Revolutionary France.

•••••••••

REVIEW: A Fierce Wind begins with Zoe Donet attending a rally with her family. She is smitten with a young general, who after the king and queen of France are killed, fights with the royalist army trying to rid France of the revolutionaries who are terrorizing her beloved country. When the general is killed, she vows to avenge his death in the only way she knows how…..joining the royalist cause and rescuing emigrants who are desperately trying to leave France. Putting herself in constant danger to do so does not please everyone, namely, Englishman Frederick West, who just happens to also be the brother-in-law of Zoe’s uncle, Jean Donet.

As the story progresses, Frederick grows uneasy with Zoe putting herself in harm’s way, only to have her uncle tell him that she will do what she wants. Her uncle does continuously send a couple of men with her to guard her when on her ‘missions’. However, it is when West is injured that Zoe starts to see him in a different light. They’ve been friends for a long time, but now, she sees him for what he really is: heroic, handsome and steadfast. Things take a sudden turn for West when England’s Prime Minister gives him orders for information gathering in order to aid the French, and he has to take Zoe with him. They embark on their journey where danger lurks with every step they take, which only adds to the developing feelings they have for each other.

A Fierce Wind is another beautifully written story by Regan Walker. Zoe is a well written character and readers will immediately be pulled in by her story. She is smart, loyal and stubborn, but even more, at least for me, she was a realist. She had no fantasies about the war, nor the ones fighting it. She knew that she could be captured, or killed, every time she went to help those in need. Frederick West was perfect for Zoe. Even though he worried over her, he also realized that, like he, she had to help in ways that she saw fit. The secondary characters are well written and leave you wanting more. As always, Regan Walker does a masterful job with her world building. As you read, you can feel the ocean breezes and hear canons firing and are drawn in from the very beginning. Intertwining actual historical events into her stories only adds to the appeal and has become a trademark for all that she writes. I’ve said it more than once…….I feel a little smarter and more informed after reading one of her books. I know she says this is a trilogy, but I’m hoping for more! Well done, Regan Walker! Very, very well Done!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
To Tame the Wind
Echo in the Wind
A Fierce Wind

Copy supplied for review

Review by Vickie K

Regan Walker is an award-winning, Amazon #1 bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romances. A lawyer turned full-time writer, she has six times been featured on USA TODAY’s HEA blog and nominated six times for the prestigious RONE award (her novel, The Red Wolf’s Prize won Best Historical Novel for 2015 in the Medieval category). Her novel The Refuge: An Inspirational Novel of Scotland won the Gold Medal in the Illumination Awards in 2017. And her novel To Tame the Wind won the International Book Award for Romance Fiction in 2017.

Years of serving clients in private practice and several stints in high levels of government have given Regan a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the “Crown”. Hence her romance novels often involve a demanding sovereign who taps his subjects for special assignments. Each of her novels features real history and real historical figures. And, of course, adventure and love.

Author website: http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regan.walker.104

Regan Walker’s Readers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReganWalkersReaders/

Pinterest (storyboards for my books): https://www.pinterest.com/reganwalker123/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RegansReview

Regan’s blog, Historical Romance Review: https://reganromancereview.blogspot.com/

Amazon link for the Donet Trilogy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B071JPXTT5/

 

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A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift (Holidays in Heart Falls #1) by Vivian Arend-a review

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A FIREFIGHTER’S CHRISTMAS GIFT (Holidays in Heart Falls #1) by Vivian Arend

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 11, 2018

This firefighter has the perfect gift for a single mom and her little girl – if they’ll take him. .

All Bradley Ford wants this holiday season is a date or three with sweet Hanna Lane. He’s the new fire chief, recently returned to Heart Falls to help his father after an accident. And while he wasn’t expecting to find someone like Hanna so soon, Brad’s certain that Hanna—and her adorable daughter, Crissy—are perfect for him and his plans to settle down.

Hanna’s been taking care of herself since she became a single mom at sixteen. The only pure, honest love she trusts is her little girl’s, but for the first time in eight years, her libido flares to life. Something about Brad draws her like a moth to a flame—which is always a bad idea for the moth.

When a fire leaves Hanna and Crissy homeless, Brad offers them shelter at his family’s homestead. Crissy insists they’ve moved in with Santa. Hanna’s not sure how she keeps ending up under the mistletoe with Brad. And Brad? He’s hoping for the best Christmas gift of all.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: A FIREFIGHTER’S CHRISTMAS GIFT is the first instalment in Vivian Arend’s contemporary, adult HOLIDAYS IN HEART FALLS romance series-a companion series to the author’s Heart Falls series. This is firefighter Bradley Ford, and office cleaner Hanna Lane’s story line. A FIREFIGHTER’S CHRISTMAS GIFT can be read as a stand alone. You do not have to have read the original series. Some of the characters cross-over for familiarity. Brad and Hanna were first introduced in A Rancher’s Song

Told from dual third person perspectives (Hanna and Bradley) A FIREFIGHTER’S CHRISTMAS GIFT follows the slow building romance between firefighter Bradley Ford, and office cleaner Hanna Lane. For months, local fire chief Brad Ford has pined after single mother Hanna Lane. When a fire destroys the building where Hannah was living, Brad offers his family home to Hanna and her daughter. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Hanna and Brad with the approach of the Christmas holidays.

Bradley Ford knows Hanna Lane is his happily ever after but Brad is committed to taking it slow with the woman that calls to his heart. Hanna Lane has struggled to raise her daughter, on her own, but the people of Heart Falls are more like family than the people back home.

The relationship between Hanna and Brad is a slow burning attraction. Brad doesn’t want to move too fast, fearing frightening away the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are passionate.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters included Hanna’s eight year old daughter Crissy; Brad’s brother Mark, and their father Patrick, as well as a number of cross-over characters from the original Heart Falls series.

A FIREFIGHTER’S CHRISTMAS GIFT is a sweet romance; a heart-warming and passionate Christmas story. The premise is inspiring and delightful: the romance is encouraging and sensual. There are no real conflicts, only the trepidation of love and a possible forever.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Please Me (Stark Ever After 4.2 / 1001 Dark Nights) by J. Kenner-Review & Excerpt Tour

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PLEASE ME (Stark Ever After 4.2/ 1001 Dark Nights) by J. Kenner-Review & Excerpt Tour

PLEASE ME
Stark Ever After 4.2 / 1001 Dark Nights
by J. Kenner
Release Date: August 28, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon. uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 28 , 2018

Each day with Damien is a miracle, each moment with our children a gift. And yet I cannot escape the growing sense that a storm is gathering, threatening to pull me away, to rip us apart. To drag me down, once again, into a darkness to which I swore never to return.

I have to fight it—I know that. And I am waging the battle with of all my heart. But it is Damien who is my strength, and we both know that the only way to push away the darkness is for him to fold me in his arms and claim me completely. And for me to surrender myself, once again, to the fire that burns between us.

•••••••••

REVIEW: PLEASE ME by J. Kenner is instalment 4.2 in the author’s contemporary, adult STARK EVER AFTER erotic, romance series, and the latest addition to the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. PLEASE ME is the on-going story focusing on billionaire businessman Damien Stark, and his wife / app developer Nikki Fairchild.

Told from first person point of view (Nikki) PLEASE ME follows Nikki Fairchild-Stark as she endeavors to come to terms with her husband’s recent change in behavior. Hoping to keep their marriage alive Nikki plans a weekend for two only that will fall victim to a potential scandal that is about to rock their orderly life. What ensues are Nikki’s attempts to uncover the truth, and the fall-out as Damien hides a secret that could destroy the woman he loves.

PLEASE ME is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and power; love and forgiveness. As Damien’s past comes looking for revenge, Nikki struggles with Damien’s lies of omission that are about to spiral out of control.

J. Kenner adds another passionate and compelling addition to Damien and Nikki’s happily ever after.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

After we tuck Lara back into bed, Damien and I walk in silence to our bedroom. As soon as I close the door behind us, I expect him to speak. But he says nothing. Just sits in the armchair by the window and loosens his tie.
I go to him, then kneel at his feet, my hands on his thighs. “Damien,” I whisper. “Please.”
The corner of his mouth curves up. “Anything, baby. You know that.”
But I don’t know it. Not really. Because I’ve asked him to tell me what’s wrong, and he’s remained silent. But that’s what I need. That’s what will make me whole—getting into his head. Understanding him.
Most of all, helping him.
“Damien,” I whisper as I look into those eyes that have seen all the way into my soul. “Please. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
An infinity passes between us in the space of a breath, then a small, sad smile touches his lips. “Everything is fine, Nikki. I promise.”
Anger boils in me, as hot as wildfire and at least as destructive. I want to scream at him that I know something is off. I want to yell that I can practically smell the secrets. I want to beg him to tell me. Because doesn’t he understand how much his silence hurts?
I say none of that, though. Instead, I press down on his thighs as I lever myself back up.
“Nikki—”
“I need to check on Anne.” My voice is sharp, my words nothing more than an excuse to leave. Because if I stay, I’m going to sink to the ground and beg. But I don’t want to beg. I want him to tell me. To keep his promise that there would be no more secrets between us.

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

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Hard Sell (21 Wall Street #2) by Lauren Layne-a review

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HARD SELL (21 Wall Street #2 by Lauren Layne-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters Indigo /

Excerpt Link: http://laurenlaynelibrary.com/hard-sell

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 4, 2018

Twenty-eight and filthy rich, Matt Cannon is the youngest broker on Wall Street. He may be a “boy wonder,” but he’s every inch a man. Ask any woman—any night. But when Matt’s latest fling makes scandalous headlines, his clients get anxious, and his bosses at Wolfe Investments level an ultimatum: keep his assets zipped, get a “real” girlfriend, and clean up his act. Only one woman can help Matt with something this hard.

For PR genius Sabrina Cross, the best fixer in Manhattan, playing Matt’s steady is going to be a challenge, even if it’s just for show. They already have an explosive history, she can’t stand the cocky party boy, and worse—she can’t stop thinking about him. So who’ll dare to break her “no touching” rule first? Because when that happens, Matt and Sabrina’s game of let’s pretend will get so hot it could set both their reputations on fire.

•••••

REVIEW: HARD SELL is the second instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult 21 WALL STREET romance series focusing on best friends and Wall Street investors-Ian Bradley, Matt Cannon and Kennedy Dawson who work for Wolfe Investments. This is twenty-eight year old Wall Street broker Matt Cannon, and PR ‘fixer’ Sabrina Cross’ story line. HARD SELL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sabrina and Matt) HARD SELL follows the fake relationship between twenty-eight year old Wall Street broker Matt Cannon, and PR ‘fixer’ Sabrina Cross. At his cousin’s recent Vegas bachelor party, Matt’s behaviour and ultimately his reputation made headlines in the world of Wall Street investors. Precariously straddling the line between employment and not, Matt is desperate to restore his reputation, in order to rein in the billionaire clientele. Enter ‘fixer’ and PR specialist Sabrina Cross, and the woman with whom Matt will fall in love. What ensues is the acrimonious and fake relationship between Matt and Sabrina, and the potential fall-out as Sabrina wants something more, and Matt is unable to give her what she wants.

Matt Cannon doesn’t do love; his parent’s dysfunctional relationship has damaged Matt’s view for a happily ever after. A friends with benefits arrangement with Sabrina, is as close to a relationship that Matt is willing to cross. Sabrina Cross’ childhood was plagued with hardship and neglect a childhood that has burned a hole into our heroine’s heart. When Matt Cannon begs Sabrina to help him clean up his tattered reputation, Sabrina struggles with her growing attraction to a man who isn’t willing to give love a chance.

The love-hate relationship between Sabrina and Matt is contemptuous; their acrimonious back and forth is riddled with insults and accusations so much so the emotional fall-out is painful and wrong. As days turn into weeks, Sabrina begins to develop feelings for the man that calls to her heart as Matt reconsiders what it is he truly wants. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The world building continues to look at the friendships between Kennedy, Ian and Matt, as well as the ramifications and repercussions of crossing the line where Wall Street is concerned. The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Ian and Lara (Hot Asset), as well as Kennedy Dawson, and PA Kate Henley; Sam and Samantha Wolfe, and billionaire Jarod Lanham.

HARD SELL is a sexy and sassy story line about friendships, family, heart break and love. The premise is spirited and engaging; the characters are dynamic and energetic; the romance is sensual and captivating. HARD SELL is a breath-taking and delightful addition to Lauren’s 21 Wall Street series.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HOT ASSET.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Website / Goodreads / / Bookbub / Pinterest / Facebook

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.

She lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL’s ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

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Hot As Sin (A Bad Habit Novella) by JT Geissinger-a review

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HOT AS SIN (Bad Habit Novella) by JT Geissinger-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon. uk / Amazon. au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date Sept 4, 2018

What do you get when you mix one sultry summer night, one world famous rock band, and one booze-soaked party in the Hollywood Hills?

An evening that’s hot as sin.

On his last day in Los Angeles before leaving for his new job with a high-profile private security firm in New York, Bad Habit’s long-time bodyguard Barney just wants to relax. Too bad the members of the band have other ideas. The bad boys of rock ‘n’ roll might be settling down with wives and children, but that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten how to party… hard.

And Barney’s going away celebration turns out to be the party everyone will talk about for years.

••••••••

REVIEW: HOT AS SIN by JT Geissinger focuses on Bad Habit’s head of security, former Special Ops team member and ex-cop Barney as he spends one final night in preparation for his new position with a high profile private security firm in New York. A part of the Bad Habit series, as well as the prequel novella in the author’s spin-off series Dangerous Beauty, HOT AS SIN says farewell to Barney, and introduces some of the potential characters and backdrop for Barney’s move to NYC.

Told from first person point of view (Nasir aka Barney) HOT AS SIN is an erotic, sexy and revealing look at the members of Bad Habit, and their close association and friendship with our leading hero as they say goodbye to their head of security. Unable to move on from his past, Nasir (Barney) struggles with the memories, as well as the omens and signs about moving forward and starting anew. Well-written, vibrant and intriguing HOT AS SIN gives the reader a quick peak into the past, present and potential future for the dark and gritty hero.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

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One More Moment (Band on the Run #3) by Samantha Chase-Review Tour

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ONE MORE MOMENT (Band on the Run #3) by Samantha Chase -Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 4, 2018

Julian Grayson is taking a break
…from his cheating fiancée
…from his band
…from his life in the spotlight
Charlotte Clark is devoted to her work
…to save the world
…to help the homeless
…to get a broken man back on his feet
When Charlotte Clark offers to pay for Julian Grayson’s coffee, the world-famous drummer assumes she wants something from him. But Charlotte has no idea who he is, and Julian can’t resist keeping up the charade—being incognito is a novelty and a relief. He’ll have to tell her…eventually. But as Charlotte cheerfully undertakes to transform his life, Julian realizes there’s something about her that gives him what he hasn’t felt in years: hope.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: ONE MORE MOMENT is the third (and final ?) instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult BAND ON THE RUN romance series focusing on the members of the rock band Shaughnessy. This is the rock band Shaughnessy’s drummer Julian Grayson, and vocational rehabilitation counsellor Charlotte Clark’s story line. ONE MORE MOMENT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for background and cohesion. The BAND ON THE RUN series is a spin-off from the author’s SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Julian and Charlotte) ONE MORE MOMENT focuses on the building relationship between Shaughnessy’s drummer Julian Grayson, and vocational rehabilitation counsellor Charlotte Clark. Three months earlier Julian stood at the altar waiting for his bride to be, a woman who was about to pay the piper for years of infidelity and humiliating our story line hero. Fast forward to present day wherein Julian returns from three months on the road, going everywhere and nowhere, only to return to an empty house in Malibu with nothing to do. A quick trip to a local coffee shop finds Julian coming face to face with his future, a woman who believes Julian to be homeless and down on his luck. Enter social worker /vocational rehabilitation counsellor Charlotte Clark, and the woman with whom Julian will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and love between Charlotte and Julian, and the potential fall-out as Julian begins to revert back to a familiar pattern but a pattern that now includes a permanent time-off from the band that he loves.

Charlotte Clark is a social worker who wants to save everyone including the stranger she meets at her favorite coffee shop, a stranger who calls to Charlotte like a moth to a flame. Charlotte has no idea as to Julian’s true identity although he wasn’t quite forthcoming with his current predicament. Julian Grayson is anything but homeless but is willing to accept Charlotte’s help in order to keep himself busy for the foreseeable future. Helping out at the shelter means ‘paying it forward’ but paying it forward in order to be closer to the woman with whom he is falling in love. As Julian’s mood and emotional drama improve his friends suggest getting the band back together for another tour not realizing Julian has no plans to go back out on the road.

The relationship between Julian and Charlotte is one of immediate attraction but an attraction tempered by Charlotte’s mistaken belief in Julian’s status. When the truth is finally revealed Julian and Charlotte’s slow building romance turns into something more until Charlotte begins to push a little too hard, as Julian is unable to move on from the past. The $ex scenes fade to black and are mostly implied.

All of the previous story line characters and couples play secondary and supporting roles including all of the members of the rock band Shaughnessy. Julian’s band mates are desperate for Julian’s return but Julian’s heart isn’t in it for the long haul.

ONE MORE MOMENT is a story of family, friendship, trust and love. The premise is realistic and heart warming; the romance is passionate and sweet; the characters are broken and energetic. ONE MORE MOMENT is an emotional, inspiring and sensual look at a second chance at love for one man who struggles to trust and love again.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
One More Kiss
One More Promise
One More Moment

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Samantha ChaseNew York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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Quintus (Immortals of New Orleans #9) by Kym Grosso-Review Tour

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QUINTUS (Immortals of New Orleans #9) by Kym Grosso-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 28, 2018

Powerful vampire, Quintus Tullius, returns to New Orleans after a demon attacks. Elusive and lethal, he conceals his true powers from all others, wielding his strength over the centuries as he sees fit. When he’s healed by an attractive stranger, he quickly realizes her altruistic actions are driven by more than kindness, and she is not who she appears to be. Unsure if he can trust the dangerous beauty, he swears to protect her, captivated by the one creature he’d never expected to flame his desire.

Gabriella Savoie has been on the run since she was thirteen years old. Determined to survive, she practices a unique blend of magick to hide from the coven who seeks her death. Desperate, she leads a treacherous existence in underground clubs, selling her mystical blood to vampires to survive. Drawn to the one person who can save her, she spirals into an erotic journey, exploring her hidden fantasies within the arms of the seductive vampire.

From Louisiana to New York, their sensual and perilous adventure leads them to discover ancient secrets, searching for the artifact that will set her beast free. As Gabriella accepts her fate, will she sacrifice her magick to be with the vampire who is her true mate? Will Quintus trust her and reveal his powers, acknowledging the unexpected bond to a woman who isn’t human? And will he be able to save her, thwarting the impending evil that descends on Big Easy?

••••••••••

REVIEW: QUINTUS is the ninth instalment in Kym Grosso’s contemporary, adult IMMORTALS OF NEW ORLEANS erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is ancient vampire Quintus Tulllius, and witch/ hybrid Gabriella Savoie’s story line. QUINTUS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: QUINTUS contains scenes of M/F/M sexual situations, and may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Quintus and Gabriella) QUINTUS follows the building relationship between ancient vampire Quintus Tullius, and witch/ hybrid Gabriella Savoie. Quintus Tullius found himself the victim of a demon attack. Imprisoned and weakened by poison, Quintus would be rescued by a stranger; a witch of unknown powers but a woman that calls to the vampire’s heart. Enter Gabriella Savoie, witch and hybrid supernatural on the run, and the woman with whom Quintus would fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between Quintus and Gabriella, and the potential fall-out as Gabriella is targeted for who and what she is.

Quintus Tullius is an ancient vampire; well respected in the world of the supernatural but someone is hoping to take down the powerful vampire. Believing he had lost the only woman that called to his heart, Quintus is surprised when his would-be rescuer stirs something within. Gabriella Savoie doesn’t have time for relationships especially a relationship involving a man who could destroy her life. On the run since the death of her mother, Gabriella knows revealing her true identity could very well get her killed.

The relationship between Gabriella and Quintus is one of immediate attraction but there is something about Gabby’s blood that calls to the world of the supernatural including a family heritage that threatens the people in charge. Quintus is desperate to protect the woman that calls to his heart but our heroine is determined to go on-alone. The sex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with some M/F/M sexual situations.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and animated secondary and supporting character including Quintus’ brother Viktor; and alpha wolf shifter Hunter Livingston, as well as the return of a number of previous story line characters. The requisite evil has many faces targeting both Quintus and Gabriella –together.

QUINTUS is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance, power and love. The action-packed, premise is entertaining and enthralling; the characters are colorful, charismatic and energetic; the romance is spell-binding and passionate. QUINTUS is a spirited, animated and provocative story of fated mates and enchanting powers.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

KADE’S DARK EMBRACE: FREE ebook Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

LUCA’S MAGIC EMBRACE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

TRISTAN’S LYCEUM WOLVES: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk Barnes and Noble/ KOBO / Smashwords

LOGAN’S ACADIAN WOLVES: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

LEOPOLD’S WICKED EMBRACE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

DIMITRI: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

JAX: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

JAKE:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / ibooks / Smashwords /

QUINTUS:Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

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Kym GrossoKym Grosso is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the award-winning paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans. She also has a new erotic romantic suspense series, Club Altura Romance. In addition to romance novels, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She is also a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.

Kym enjoys reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is one of her favorite places to visit. Also, she loves traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled with hundreds of romances.

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